Search watoday:

Search in:

E3 2014: The Australian gamer's guide

Tim Biggs

E3 2013 was all about new consoles, this year the focus returns to games.

E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, is on this week in Los Angeles, and one of the most exciting parts is watching the major conferences as they happen, discussing the announcements with other fans on Twitter and taking part in interactive livestreams. So here's your one-stop guide to when the major events will take place, where you can see them and what is likely to be announced. All times are Australian Eastern Standard (AEST).

Having been humbled last year by a hungry Sony, this E3 will see Microsoft put greater focus on games and new experiences than hands-free controls and TV deals (most of which were meaningless for gamers outside of the US).

Advertisement

Expect Halo 5: Guardians to be detailed. Master Chief is also expected to make an appearance in a HD remake of Halo 2, although some outlets have reported a huge Halo collection will be announced for Xbox One, encapsulating all four previous games.

Microsoft has been fighting to regain ground lost to PlayStation 4, recently revealing a cheaper, Kinect-less Xbox One. E3 game announcements are expected to come thick and fast to support this push, so expect big exclusive games (and lots of updates on announced exclusive games like Sunset Overdrive), plenty of indies and a blockbuster title from Rare (makers of Banjo Kazooie, Viva Pinata), Epic (former makers of Gears of War) or Lionhead (Fable). Turn 10 will also be showing off new racer Forza Horizon 2.

EA has been largely quiet since picking up the exclusive rights to Star Wars video games last year, so expect announcements (and further details on Star Wars Battlefront). A new game from Bioware is also possible, and since Dragon Age: Inquisition is launching this year, one would expect any new details will surround their other popular franchise, Mass Effect. Battlefield: Hardline details and a raft of sports games are also no-brainers.

Meanwhile for Ubisoft, rumours have been persisting that a Prince of Persia reboot will be announced and that it will be the latest game developed in the proprietary Ubi-Art framework (the same software used to create Rayman Legends and Child of Light). Plenty of Assassin’s Creed information is virtually assured, as well as closer looks at games like The Crew, The Division and FarCry 4. A new Just Dance is possible, and DLC for the mega-hit Watch Dogs could materialise too.

PlayStation Now, the streaming service that will carry games released for the PlayStation 1, 2 and 3 is sure to be detailed during Sony's conference, but will likely hold little significance for those outside the US. Project Morpheus, the Sony virtual reality headset, will also make an appearance.

As far as games are concerned, Drive Club, The Order: 1886 and The Last of Us Remastered will receive a lot of attention, and the troubled Uncharted 4 may get a new teaser trailer, but little else is known about exclusive games coming to PlayStation 4. This means big announcements are likely, be they regarding the incredibly long-delayed Last Guardian, a new God of War, a reboot for Syphon Filter or, if one of the crazier rumours is to be believed, a return for Crash Bandicoot.

Plenty of indie game announcements or updates are also likely, as well as fresh details from Bungie (former makers of Halo) on their upcoming Destiny. New game announcements for PlayStation Vita are likely to be sparse.

Once again Nintendo will not be hosting a traditional E3 press conference, instead opting for an online ‘Digital Event’ that will house its major announcements. The Big N has promised a look at the upcoming main-series Zelda game, the first since 2011’s Skyward Sword, so expect at least a trailer.

Wii U games like Monolith’s X, Bayonetta 2, and Hyrule Warriors will make an appearance, but expect new additions to established franchises as well. The inclusion of Rosalina (Super Mario Galaxy) and Mega Man in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. could indicate a new title in their respective franchises, while Animal Crossing, Advance Wars and Metroid have all been rumoured to be in development. For 3DS, Nintendo has put aside a full 90 minute press briefing for a yet-to-be-announced title, so expect something big - perhaps the long-awaited remake of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask?

The recently-detailed NFC figurines, which will be able to store data and work with games across Wii U and 3DS, will certainly be making an appearance. Redesigned or special edition versions of the Wii U, 3DS or 2DS would seem timely as well.

The Digital Event will be followed immediately by three solid days of live game demos and information presented by the Treehouse, Nintendo’s product development division. Those psyched for the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Wii U are particularly in luck, as Nintendo will host its first ever invitational tournament featuring the best professional Smash Bros. players in the world, streamed online from 9am Wednesday.